BirthDec 1, 1823, Montgomery Co., PA
DeathJun 8, 1924, Orange, Essex, NJ
BurialJun 10, 1924, Evergreen Cemetery, Hillside Co., NJ
OccupationMerchant, Hotel Business, NY
EducationPhiladelphia, PA School, Master St., 3rd Ward
Misc. Notes
Lived with his grandaughter, Mrs. Ralph W. Bailey, 200 Murray St., Orange, NJ. at his death. Survived by his son William T. West, 154 1st East Rochelle, NJ., Edwin West Jr., Washington, D.C., and Charles E. West. He had 7 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
His father was a bricklayer, a farmer and foreman of a cowhide whip and glue factory in PA. He lived near Philadelphia, PA for nearly 30 years. He was a volunteer fireman in the Montgomery County Independence Hose Company, 1841. Edwin was manager of the factory which made coach whips until 1856, at age 33, when he moved to New York City and entered the hotel business with a brother. Four years later he owned a hotel himself. Among the hotels that he owned and operated was the Utah Hotel at Eighth Avenue and Twenty-fifth Street, and the College Hotel on Broadway and 15th St.. Edwin retired from the hotel business in 1890 because a city excise commissioner had embezzled thousands of dollars of the money he collected for hotel permits. After fighting for a license, Mr. West decided it was useless and sold his business at auction. While in New York City he witnessed the Civil War draft riots.
Until he retired from business, Edwin was always active in the affairs of the cities in which he lived. He was active in Republican politics in New York. When Lincoln first sought the Presidency, he worked untiringly for his election. After they left New York City, they lived in Hohokus, NJ, near Paterson until his wife died.
134 Edwin died June 8, 1924 in Orange, NJ while sitting reading a newspaper. He was "100 years, 6 months and 7 days old". Edwin and Mary were buried in the West family plot, Lawn Plot 2, Lot 163, Evergreen Cemetery, Hillside, NJ. Unfortunately, the inscription for Mary ("Mary Becker") is incorrect on the lot marker.
Parents born in PA.
Age 86, lived with Edwin West Jr. family in Bergen, NJ in 1910.
Age 96, lived with son Charles in 1920.
Listed as a retired merchant, living in NY in 1880 US Census.
Occupation in 1870, keeping hotel.
Death certificate says his mothers name was Ann Eliza Nelson, the informant was W.T. West, Jr. of Westfield, NJ.
Middle initial may be J.